Cord Blood Case Study

The first type of stem cell, an embryonic stem cell, is known for being able to continuously multiply, as well as for being pluripotent. They can be “derived in vitro from the blastocyst of an embryo usually left over from in vitro fertilization” (Forraz & McGuckin, 2011, p.61). Unlike other types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells have yet to be used in any kind of clinical treatment of patients. The high risks of “immune rejection” or “teratoma formation” are serious obstacles (Harris, 2009, p.182). The second type of stem cell, adult stem cells, is primarily considered to be multipotent and may be found in “specific adult human tissues” such as the skin or bone marrow, just to name a few. Over the last twenty years, the amount of scientific research and trials using adult stem cells has grown significantly, despite their lower potency than embryonic stem cells (Forraz & McGuckin, 2011, p.61). Lastly, cord blood stem cells, are technically considered to be a special type of adult stem cell, but their youthful properties give them “greater restorative and regenerative potential.” Directly following the birth of a child, these stem cells can be collected from the blood in the umbilical cord (Steenblock & Payne, 2006, p.9). Embryonic, adult, and cord blood stem cells

So what is cord blood banking? Cord blood banking is the process of storing the stem cell-rich blood from the umbilical cord after a mother gives birth. The stem cells are the key that unlock potential for treatment for conditions such as brain and spinal cord injury, some types of cancer, including leukemia, brain and heart tissue repair, and many others (2015). One of the reasons that there is such a positive success rate when using cord blood for these medical conditions is that for the child, the stem cells are a 100% match. (GET MORE DATA REGARDING WHY THE BLOOD IS

For infants who have not yet started showing symptoms, treatment with umbilical cord blood stem cells has shown promise in enabling normal or near normal lives. The method can take place within weeks of birth. Neural deterioration is slowed down following the procedure and symptoms are less harsh. Kids and babies who have already started showing symptoms of the disease don’t profit from the treatment. Some people with late onset Krabbe disease benefit from treatment with umbilical cord stem cells even though it has a higher success rate on kids. Bone marrow stem cells can be used in place on umbilical cord blood stem cells, however they require the donor to be a perfect match. There is also less risk of immune system complications. For kids that have started showing symptoms and others not suitable for the procedure. the only treatment is to address symptoms as they

A limited amount of stem cells can be extracted from after birth, but these few cells can mean a longer or improved life for someone (Bergman). In addition, people believe that harvesting cord blood cells steals the cells from the child. The umbilical cord is cut and clamped just like a typical delivery (CariCord). Delayed clamping, in which the cord is left attached to drain the blood back into the baby, still allows the afterbirth to be donated. The science behind cord blood banking is still developing because these treatments have only been performed for a little over ten years and the only way to overcome that is to move forward with research (Stem Cell). Cord blood cells hold the potential of becoming brain and heart cells and combatting serious neurological diseases. The science is young, but one out of every three hundred kids are plagued with cerebral palsy and one of every sixty-eight children battle autism (What It Is). The chance of helping people throughout the world live a better life fuels the need for an increase of support in this budding

Some blood disorders can be prevented while there are others that are out of a person’s hands and have to live with a blood disorder for a life time. It is essential to know the causes of hereditary disease and know how to treat them. It is also important to know what can be done to “cure” other blood disorders and what preventive measures need to be taken in order to stop history from repeating itself. Iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, and purpura simplex are just a few blood disorders that people suffer from that are either inherited or can be prevented.

country are now recommending collecting the cord blood. "There's only two things that (you can) potentially buy your new baby that are lifesaving: One is a good car seat and the other is cord blood." Dr. Marra Francis, Ob/Gyn, CBR medical consultant gives his medical and personal opinion of collecting cord blood.

People have had severe diseases or possible injuries that have completely altered their lives. Ranging from heart damage, brain damage, becoming paralyzed, or suffering from severe injuries. Those people may have a way to regain their lives in the way of stem cells. Stems cells can help heal these wounded people and give them back their lives. As well as advancing understanding of other diseases and disorders and even finding cures for those diseases. That is why people should get their minds from thinking of abortion when they think about stem cells and think of the benefits of them. There are several other types of stem cells, not just stem cells acquired from fetuses.

I understand that there is a risk of bacterial and/or fungal contamination when collecting Cord Blood. The contaminating bacteria and/or fungus is usually a naturally occurring contaminant of the birthing canal. Celligenics

The second type of stem cell in use is the Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells. These stem cells come from the umbilical cord of a newborn which generally would get discarded. Otherwise, these cords are frozen and stored in a private blood bank, in case the stem cells should ever be needed by the donor or their family (“Umbilical Cord Blood”, par. 23). The processes to save these cells is; something like this, the parents pay a onetime fee and they receive a package for sending the cord in after delivery, after the initial process the family pays an annual storage fee to continue to

Cord cell banking is the process of collecting and storing your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells for potential medical use. Umbilical cord has two components, the cord blood and the cord tissue. Cord blood banking involves collecting blood left in your newborn's umbilical cord and placenta, which contains potentially lifesaving cells called hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Cord tissue banking involves collecting the clamped cord tissues, after the cord blood has been drawn out from it. Umbilical cord tissue is an abundant source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which pose a critical role in the treatment of diseases, for their regenerative properties in cartilage, muscle, and nerve cells.

2. How can the latest research in stem cells used from cord blood and tissue banking support expectant parents’ decision to save their baby umbilical cord blood?

Cord blood refers to the blood that remains in the blood vessels of the placenta along with the umbilical cord that it is attached to. Also known as placental blood or umbilical cord blood, cord blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. It is also rich in blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells. These are similar to the ones found in bone marrow. Due to its similarity with bone marrow, cord blood may be used for transplantation. Storing this blood can potentially be used as a form of treatment for a child, should they become ill. The reason for this is because, stem cells present in the blood can become any human cell. By storing this blood, it not only helps the individual from whom the extra blood came from

The last scenario and blood disorder is Spencer, who over the past several weeks is having more bruises, or ecchymosis, all over his body. After coughing this morning, Spencer noticed tiny red marks all around his eyes. Spencer is showing signs of thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is a condition of the blood in which the blood doesn’t clot properly because there are not enough platelets. This condition can be caused by many different things such as decreased platelet production, increased platelet

An article entitled, "The Gift of Life" in Fit Pregnancy Magazine summarized the potential effectiveness, storage eligibility, banking, and blood collection the umbilical cord. The importance of collecting the blood from the umbilical cord lies in the presence of stem cells. Transplanting these cells allows for the regeneration of bone marrow enabling the body to combat diseases such as Lymphoma and Sickle Cell Anemia. In addition to other cancers, blood and immune disorders. The life-saving potential of the stem cells in a child's cord blood can be stored through public or private banking.

Occasionally a baby is born with this disorder and no family history of it. When this happens, it could be caused by a hidden gene, which is when several generations of female carry it, and it has not affected any male members of the family or a spontaneous mutation. With each pregnancy, a woman who is a carrier has a 25% possibility of having a son born with hemophilia. Since the father's X chromosome is what determines if the unborn child will be a girl, all of the daughters born of a man with hemophilia will be carriers. None of his sons, which is determined by the father through his Y chromosome, will have hemophilia. Individuals who suffer from mild hemophilia may choose to use a non-blood product known as Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) to help treat the small bleeds and/or scrapes. For deep cuts or internal bleeding, the treatment called DDAVP may not be enough and therefore, may need a much more complex treatment. The clotting factor must be replenished so the affected person can form a clot to stop the bleeding. Plasma is one of the ‘human blood products’ than is used for factor replacement. Another factor replacement option is using the recombinant factor, which is produced in a laboratory.